Saturday, May 2, 2009

We really, really do vouchers in the Myrtleandeunice household. Those of the homemade variety – the ones that require a bit of thought, imagination, a splash of soul, a little time but not necessarily money. I considered myself a very lucky birthday girl indeedy, when I recently received a book of vouchers from my eldest kidlet. That one on top, is my choice of a family day out, (delicious boutique wool shop in Torquay, anyone?). Below are those received from Mr Myrtleandeunice, a guy whose love for me apparently knows no bounds. I have searched every millimetre of that Crafty Shopping Spree voucher and there isn’t a hint of a disclaimer outlining budgets or time constraints or anything. What a guy. Or, what an unfortunate oversight.

Every year, the Mr and I give the kids a book of vouchers for Christmas. They are always a great hit, are often aimed at one-on-one time, ie: One Very Long Story Reading, but also include things like: Your Choice of Dinner (Need Not Include Peas), or Trip to The Swimming Pool (includes Bonus Icy Pole). Although we have usually come up with ideas in advance, the vouchers are inevitably thrown together in great haste, very late on Christmas Eve. Unlike Mr Myrtleandeunice, I haven't yet forgotten to include important terms and conditions: Your Choice of Family Day Out (Does Not Include Plane Travel).

A little while ago, I was asked by FaveCrafts if I would like to be included in a Mother’s Day Blogger eBook containing crafty tutorials. It seemed the only logical thing to exploit my love of the voucher. Make a swish-o (but so simple you could almost do it with your eyes closed) wrap...

...which opens out to reveal veritable voucher treasure.

There are 26 downloadable, made-up-by-me vouchers for you to choose from – but better still, blank ones, so you can come up with your own.

The pocket fits standard business card size (85mm x 55mm) vouchers, so the wrap could be re-used for, say, business cards.

Enjoy, or pass on hintfully to a crafty kid and please excuse the errata: I didn’t allow for the seams in the finished measurements. I figure the world will keep turning.

Now, if only Mum didn’t read this blog...

EDITED TO ADD: For a more generic, ‘any occasion’ tutorial option, click HERE for the tutorial.

You really are a superstar!! I love the voucher idea and the wrap is gorgeous too. I'm already thinking of voucher ideas for the kids. They just love to have some special time with Mum or Dad or some choices in their lives too so that makes it a top idea in my book! Well done x

i love this. its great. i love the fact that your kids have made them fo you, its nice that they can think about others needs as well as their own, im off to brainstorm some ideas and have a go tomorrow. thanks

Vouchers are always great but the Craft Spree one is fantastic ! Has the poor man any idea what he's let himself in for ? If anyone I know is reading this , I quite like trips to quilt shops ..... I'd better make the wallet just in case .Sonata

That is simply stunning! I, too, am a voucher addict- I made ones on Photoshop one year that took me four weeks to prepare. ouch! I must say, though, that mine were never as beautifully presented as yours. Love it!!

Ooooh, we're big fans of coupon gifties around here too. I'm gonna have to point my kids to this post with a rather unsubtle "hint,hint".They dropped the ball on my b-day and now owe me one :)Thanks for the wonderful tutorial!

About Me

Mother of three, wife to one, designer and craftster of the slightly obsessive kind. Myrtle and Eunice were two lovely old ladies who connected weekly over the Scrabble tiles. These Saturday battles of will and skill were a ritual as comfy as a hot Milo and handknitted blanket on a frosty day.